Mechanical lock or grip.



T. P. OGRADY, DECD.

v. I. O'GRADY, zxacunux.

MECHANICAL LOCK 0R GRIP.

i Patented Oct. 1 ,1917.

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APPLICATION FILED JAN-24,1917.

- FIGS- a snare.

THOMAS PATRICK oonAnx; DECEASED, LATE or THE"ESPLANADE, GRANGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA, BY VIOLET ISABEL OGRADY, nxncurnrx, on THE ESPLANADE, GRANGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA- MEcHANIoAL LOCK on GRIP.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 l atented flat, 16 1917,

Application filed January 24, 191.7. 1 Serial No; 144,122.

State 7 of South Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, gentlewoman', is the sole eXecultrix of THOMAS PATRrcK OGRADY, late of same' address, deceased, who invented certain new anduseful Improvements in a Metion,

chanical Lock or Grip, of which the following is a specification. V

The invention relates to an improved me chanical lock or grip, the object ofthe same being to construct a locking or, gripping device which 'shallbe applicable to a rotary moving part, but. can bequickly applied so asto render such part immovable.

The invention. consists essentially of the arrangement of threehard balls contained within a chamber which is rigidly secured to the immovable part of the structure, two

of such balls being designed to impinge upon semi-annular lock plates when forced apart by a screw'through the medium of the three balls and is applicable to a great varietyof uses, as for instance to the supports or frame of wind-screens for motor cars.

I will further describe the invention in detail so that the functions of the several parts connected therewithv may be clearly understood. i To assist this description referencens made to the accompanylng illustrative drawings wherein, c.

. F gure 1. s a front elevatlon of the lnven- Fig. 2 is a side view of same; Fig. 3 section showlng passage for accom- -m0dation for balls,

Fig. 4 sectional view of Fig. 2, Fig. 5. part sectional view. of lower members showing relative position of balls in passage.

formed a bearingplate or'surface 6 upon which a cylindrical boss extends which serves as an axle to the rotary portion here- -inafter described. A portion of this boss is straw hr aded internal y, and externa y above mentioned.

its base isplain, while its upper or outer end is likewise screw threaded.

7 Upon thQkfOllIlClfltiOIi or hearing is fastened a smallprojecting test pin d to prevent the rotation of semi-annular skid blocks 6. Theseiblocks fit snugly around the plain portionof the projecting boss. so as to em brace it on either side, and are recessed as of the stop pm shown ffor'v the reception Upon either side of the boss is drilled a horizontal holeor passage f for the reception of the locking balls g, two such balls being used opposite to each other, and a slight recess may be formed in the semi-annular plates opposite to the passage, so that when the balls are accommodated in the horizontal hole or passage in the boss, one side of each ball projects internally slightly beyond the inner edge, while the opposite side of the ball projects outwardly into the recess in the blocks.

This arrangement is clearly indicated in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

The third ball h which is preferably a little larger in diameter than those. previously mentioned and is hereinafter referred to as the wedge ball is dropped into the interior of the projecting boss so-that it rests are. accommodated therein. This grip chamber, may be formed within a boss or enlargement of the continuation arms 7' which constitute a portion of the rotatable body..

There is now applied what may be termed a lock nut to the external screw thread of the projecting cylindrical boss, screwing the same down to slightly bear upon the rotary member. This lock nut has. a hole bored through its center, such a hole being slightly in excess of the diameter of the screw threaded portion of the projecting cylindrical boss, so that it forms no impedimentto a lock screw Z which consists preferably of a screw ha ing a wing nut hea tote ope by hand. This screw is steadied in position and prevented from working loose through vibration by the addition of a spring or spring washer m, and the arrangement is such that when screwed down into the boss the bottom of the screw presses upon the wedge ball previously mentioned, so that ,it in turnimpinges upon the two smaller balls which are a little lower down. a

The method of locking the device when the parts are fitted together inthe manner above described consists in merely giving a slight turn to the locking screw by means of the wing nut head. This action'as previously indicated causes'the large ball to wedge down upon the small balls, thereby pushing them out sidewise along the passage. This pressure is transmitted directto the semi-annular blocks which are forced apart, and the surfaces of the plates bear 'heavi-ly'upon the wall of the grip chamber, thus effecting an efli cient frictional lock and preventing the rotation of the movable part.

In reverse manner, slackening or-unscrewing the-lock screw relieves the pressure upon the balls, and releases the grip of the adjacent parts.-

If so desired a small cone may be used in lieu of the wedge ball,- and isoperated upon by the lock screw so that it performs the same functionas the ball, or the end of the lock screw may be rounded or pointed off and of sufiicient length to force the balls apart. I

The invention may be manufactured in great variety of sizes; to suit different purposes,- andcan even be applied'as a brake r as a grip clutch in connection with various mechanical movements. I r

If so desired additional balls may be introduced intolarge grips to be operated upon separately in the center ball-or wedge, or the balls may be grouped in pairs, and the wedge ball will then impinge upon pairs of balls the effective result and mechanical achievement being the same in either case.

It will ofcourse be obvious that'in some structures theextensions 7' may be a fixture upon which the other parts rotate. Having now fully described and ascertained the said invention, and the manner in which it is to be performed, I declare that what is claimed is 1. In a' device of the character described, thecombination with a fixed member having a passage therethrough, of a movable member in position to be clutched to said fixed member, a pair of balls adapted to have limited movement toward and from each other in said passage, a third ball of a size incapable "of entirely occupying the space between said pair of balls,and means for exerting pressure against said third ball to wedge saidpair of balls apart and clutch said movable member to said fixed member.

said-movable member to said boss.-

'means vfor exerting pressure against said third ball to wedge said pair of balls apart *and clutch "said' movable member to said fixed member. 7

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a fixedb0ss'having a passage therethrough, of segmental blocks about said boss, a movable member surrounding said blocks, a pair of balls having 7 limited movement toward and from each other in said passage, a third ball contacting with said pair of 'balls andof asize incapable of entirely occupying the space between said pair of balls,-and means for exerting P re against said third ball to wedge Sald Ofbaus P and force sa d se mental' blocks into engagement with "Said movable member.

4. In a device of the character described,

the combination with a fixed member having a hollow boss projecting therefrom and a transverse passage through said boss, of a fixed member in position to be clutched to said boss, a pair of balls adapted to have'f'r limited movement toward I and from; each other in said passage, a third ball'contacting with said pair of balls and of a size incapable of entirely occupying the space between said pair of balls, a movable member,- and means movable axially of said hollow boss for exerting pressure against said third ball to wedge said pair of balls apart. and clutch 5. In-a device of the character described,

the combination with a fixed hollow boss having a transverse passagetherethrough, of

segmental-blocks embracing said boss, means to prevent rotation of said blocks about said boss, a movable member embracing 'saidw blocks but permitting movement of the-latter in relation'to each other, a'pair of balls havinglimited-movement toward and from each other in said passage, a third ball contacting withs'aidpair ofballs, said third 5 ball being larger than the maximum space between the balls of-said pair, and a screw movable into and out of said boss and having an end adapted to con'tact with. said third ball to wedge the balls of said pair apart. 1 1 g 6. In 'a' device of the character described, the combination with a fixed hollow-boss 'having a transverse passage therethrough,

of segmental blocks embracing said boss,-

means to prevent rotation of said blocks about said boss a movable member embracing sa d blocks but permitting movement of the latter in relation to each other, a pair of ing an end adapted to contact with said third balls having limited movement toward and ball to Wedge the balls of said pair apart,

from each other in said passage, a third ball and a lock nut mounted on said boss. 10 contacting With said pair of balls, said In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

5 third ball being larger than the maximum VIOLET ISABEL OGRADY,

space between the balls of said pair, a screw Emecut r'im of Thomas Patrick OGmdy,. movable into and out of said boss and havdeceased.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

